‘Khelenge Bhi, Khilenge Bhi’ campaign to feature cricket, kabaddi, volleyball, tug-of-war, folk dance and modelling competitions; Rs 21 lakh in cash prizes announced
Shimla, October 21: A 22-day Sports Mahakumbh, themed ‘Khelenge Bhi, Khilenge Bhi’, will begin at Banuti on October 25, bringing together thousands of players and members of the organising committee from the Shimla Rural Assembly constituency. The sporting extravaganza will be inaugurated at 11 am on October 25 and conclude with a grand ceremony in Sunni on November 15. Winners will receive cash prizes worth Rs 21 lakh, along with trophies and mementoes.
Vikramaditya Singh, MLA from Shimla Rural and Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister, who also heads the Shimla-based Sports, Culture and Environment Association, shared details of the event at a press conference on Wednesday. He said the sports festival had been organised in his constituency for several years to provide a platform for young people, women and men across age groups to showcase their talents. However, the event could not be held over the past two years due to natural disasters in the state.
With the return of the Mahakumbh on a larger scale, the focus will be on strengthening the sporting culture in rural areas and raising awareness about the growing problem of substance abuse among young people. Singh said the initiative aims to encourage youth to engage in sports and other constructive activities while providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
The scale of participation is expected to be impressive, with 211 cricket teams and 260 tug-of-war teams set to compete. Volleyball will see participation from 50 teams, while 60 teams each have registered for men’s and women’s kabaddi. Badminton will also feature 60 teams each in the men’s and women’s categories.
Beyond traditional sporting events, the Mahakumbh will celebrate the region’s cultural and creative talent. As many as 100 teams have registered for folk dance competitions, while around 400 women have signed up for the fashion show and modelling events. Fun activities, including musical chairs, will add to the festive atmosphere.
Cricket matches will be held at Sunni, Karyali, Kunihar and Kandaghat, while competitions in other sports will take place at Sunni and Banuti. To ensure smooth coordination and management, an organising committee comprising 400 members has been formed. Together, the players and committee members account for a total of 9,553 participants associated with the event.
Singh said participation would be restricted to residents of the Shimla Rural Assembly constituency. Players will not be permitted to represent a team from a panchayat other than their own, a provision intended to encourage local participation and give athletes an opportunity to represent their respective panchayats. Sports kits will be provided to participants in all disciplines except tug-of-war, while the necessary playing kits for individual sports will also be made available.
Expressing confidence in the event’s success, Singh urged participants to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and give their best in every competition. He said the Sports Mahakumbh aims to promote a lasting sporting culture in rural Himachal Pradesh while offering young people, women and men a major platform to showcase their skills.
The event will culminate in Sunni on November 15, where the winners will be felicitated with cash prizes, trophies and mementoes. With thousands of participants expected to come together, the Mahakumbh seeks to combine sporting excellence, cultural expression and community participation under one banner.
